"Sister Huahua, if you have something to say, just say it." Lian Manman turned her head and faced Lian Huahua directly.

The two of them were alone on the narrow paved road, and Lian Huahua’s gaze darkened involuntarily.

This private conversation with Lian Manman wasn’t initiated by her own will, but she had no choice but to come. Right now, her father back in her maternal family held the position of County Magistrate in Taicang County under the Hejian Prefecture, controlling the real powers like judicial matters throughout the county. Her entire family thrived in Taicang, living a life of prestige. Not only did they no longer need to seek favors from the Song Family, but twice recently, visitors even came bearing valuable gifts for them.

Originally, it was Lian Shouren and his family who relied on the Song Family. But now, although the Song Family had yet to ask for anything from Lian Shouren’s household, the dynamics between the two families had shifted. While the previous generation of the Song Family held a purchased official rank, they essentially ran a merchant business. In contrast, Lian Shouren held an official title gained through the imperial examination system and served as a commissioned officer of the Imperial Court.

In terms of family status, the Lian Family surpassed the Song Family.

At the Song Family, she could now stand tall and walk with her head high. In fact, on the very day Lian Jizu sent an expensive gift to the Song Family and shared insights into the situation in Taicang, she had gone to meet Song Hailong’s mother.

She wanted to bring her daughter back to her own courtyard to raise her personally.

Of course, this request wasn’t as simple as it appeared on the surface. Reclaiming the custody of her daughter, compelling the matriarch to make concessions—to her, this represented the first step in her plan to gain control within the Song Family.

However, the old matriarch effortlessly rejected her request. Saying only that she should "focus on taking good care of her health, bear more children for the Song Family, and not let other matters interfere with this fundamental duty." The old matriarch had even spoken candidly, saying that within the Song Family, nothing mattered more than giving birth to a male heir—it was the utmost priority, and the highest merit one could achieve in the family. Beyond that, the matriarch went on about how this household would eventually fall into "your hands" someday.

In the end, she left empty-handed.

At the Song Family, she lacked for nothing in terms of food, clothing, and daily expenses. The old matriarch showed her consistent warmth and kindness, yet she still couldn’t involve herself in family affairs.

Truth be told, she did have a certain fear of the old matriarch. Regarding the incident where Lian Manman demanded repayment for the debt, the old matriarch said nothing, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that the matriarch held something against her, patiently waiting for the right time to strike. And the matter with Yingzi had caused her to lose face in front of the matriarch. After the matriarch’s intervention, Yingzi was finally sent to Taicang, only then did the tension with the old matriarch ease.

Lian Huahua believed that although her firstborn was a daughter, as soon as she bore a son, no one at the Song Family could surpass her. Even the old matriarch would have to step aside. Right now, this was the goal driving all her efforts.

In the process, she had to remain wary of the old matriarch. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Lian Manman’s family had earned themselves an Imperially Bestowed Archway, a matter the old matriarch found significant, subtly urging her to get along well with Lian Manman’s family. Now that Wu Lang had succeeded in the Tongsheng exam, the old matriarch wasted no time in instructing Song Hailong and her to deliver congratulations and gifts. This time, her instructions were explicit, emphasizing closeness with Lian Manman’s family.

She had also discovered that the old matriarch’s regard for Lian Manman’s family stemmed from newly obtained information—Wu Lang had participated in the prefectural exam alongside the Ninth Master of the Shen Family, receiving notable recognition from the Shen Family.

The unexpected rise of Lian Manman’s family filled her with envy. Watching how the old matriarch treated Lian Manman’s household with increasing importance—showing them greater respect and favor than Lian Shouren’s family—stirred both jealousy and unease within her.

Lian Jizu had studied for years but remained a mere Tongsheng. Yet, look at Wu Lang—he passed on his first try. Should he proceed and directly pass the Scholar exam next, he would then stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Lian Shouren. And in the eyes of the old matriarch, Lian Shouren wouldn’t even compare to Wu Lang.

Wu Lang, still so young, held boundless potential for the future. Even if Lian Huahua didn’t want to admit it, she knew that an official who entered via the proper channel vastly differed in status from one who held a purchased title. For Lian Shouren, now holding the position of County Magistrate, his prospects for promotion were bleak—nothing short of "impossible." But for someone from the proper channels, with a mentor’s support, connections with fellow examinees, and ties to peers from the same year, the path to climbing the ranks was clearly laid out. Some could even begin their careers directly in the prestigious Hanlin Academy, opening the door to future positions as cabinet ministers, prime ministers, or more.

Lian Huahua didn’t believe Wu Lang’s luck would stretch that far, feeling unequal in her heart. But what could she do? Her resentment only deepened, wishing she had capable brothers in her own family. No matter how resourceful or competent a woman was, she couldn’t compare to having a good father or a few outstanding brothers.

Watching Lian Manman—a mere village girl—rise in status due to her father and brothers, Lian Huahua bottled up overwhelming bitterness within herself, often secretly wishing calamity would strike Lian Manman’s family, which would finally align with her desires. This unspeakable wish had weighed so heavily on her heart that it became an ailment, manifesting in dreams where she laughed heartily seeing Lian Manman face adversity or woke from nightmares where Lian Manman stood tall in Phoenix Crown and Rosy Clouds Robe, commanding her obeisance.

Once awake, life carried on. Faced with occasional questions from others, she always maintained an outward appearance of closeness with Lian Manman’s family and pretended to treat them well, yet couldn’t help but subtly belittle them both overtly and covertly.

When visiting Lian Manman’s house, though, she had to intentionally exhibit an air of rapport. Only last time, despite Lian Manman’s household treating her courteously, their demeanor carried a subtle aloofness—any observant individual could discern it. And this time, not only was she kept away from their rear courtyard, but Lady Zhang Wang even delivered remarks aimed at reprimanding her.

Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong were the old matriarch’s trusted attendants, specifically assigned to accompany her on social visits. Upon returning, they were bound to report everything to the matriarch in detail.

Before bearing a male heir, she had no choice but to placate the old matriarch, hence her approach to reconcile with Lian Manman. Accompanying this act of deference, lowering herself, she came to seek peace with Lian Manman.

"Manman, do you remember the words we shared in the backyard before I got married?"

*****......****

Second update delivered, the second-to-last day of the month, requesting everyone’s pink votes as support.

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Recommendation for Ruoyan’s completed work: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles," a light house fight farmland tale, weaving together the nuanced family intrigues and everyday drama of a grand household.

Book Number: 1771214

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